Nonprofit group that houses Toys for Tots running short on cash, needs money to keep building operating

FLINT — Toys for Tots could find itself without a home if another nonprofit group that owns the building can’t find the money to keep it open.

The Marines Taking Care of Kids organization is short on cash and is barely able to cover $2,000 monthly bills that cover utilities for the former union hall, said Craig Newberry, president of the board for Marines Taking Care of Kids.

Marines Taking Care of Kids has an annual budget of about $30,000 and has been breaking even every month, said Newberry.

Already struggling to keep up with costs, Newberry isn’t sure where money will come from to pay for needed renovations.

“I equate it to a family living paycheck to paycheck,” Newberry said. “As our checkbook continues to dwindle, I worry about it.”

That could mean big problems for Toys for Tots, which gets free office and storage space in the building to store tens of thousands of toys it gives out each year.

Marines Taking Care of Kids helps families after events such as fires while Toys for Tots provides toys on a seasonal basis.

Although the Toys and Marines groups work hand in hand, they don’t share finances.

That means the estimated $55,000 Toys for Tots budget can’t be used toward utility bills or building improvements, said Lou Bryan, the coordinator of Toys for Tots.

Losing the building would force Toys for Tots to find a new spot for offices and toys. Last year, the group donated more than 30,000 toys to about 6,000 children locally.

The bulk of funding for Marines Taking Care of Kids comes from small fundraisers and charity events, Newberry said.

Michelle Decoster, owner of Runyan’s Christmas Tree Farm in Clio, said she’s going to do everything in her power to make sure Toys for Tots doesn’t lose its home.

“I would hate to see that go down,” she said.

Decoster, who works with Toys for Tots and Marines Taking Care of Kids, is donating $1 from tickets purchased for hay rides and corn maze visits to Marines Taking Care of Kids.

Newberry said he would like to have enough money on hand to plan the building’s budget for a year.

“We’ve never been to this point, so I can’t even tell you how dire it is,” Newberry said.